Khandava Forest

Khandava Forest (Khandava Vana, Sanskrit: खाण्डव वन, khāndəvə vənə) or Khandavaprastha (Sanskrit: खाण्डवप्रस्‍थ) was an ancient forest mentioned in the epic Mahabharata.[1] It lay to the west of Yamuna river, in modern day Delhi territory. Pandavas cleared this forest to construct their capital city called Indraprastha. This forest was earlier inhabited by Naga tribes led by a king named Takshaka.[2]Arjuna and Krishna cleared this forest by setting up a fire. The inhabitants of this forest were displaced. This was the root cause of the enmity of the Naga Takshaka towards the Kuru kings who ruled from Indraprastha and Hastinapura.[2]

The Mahabharata states that Indra was the protecting deity (deva) of Khandava forest, which is why the region was known as Indraprastha.[3] When the forest was being burned, Indra attacked Arjuna with his bolt (vajra), injuring him.[4]

^ abauthor, The Mahabharata, Book 1 of 18: Adi Parva, Forgotten Books, ISBN978-1-60506-611-0, ... I adore thee also, to obtain the ear-rings, O Takshaka, who formerly dwelt in Kurukshetra and the forest of Khandava! ... And Takshaka, surprised beyond measure and terrified by the heat of the fire, hastily came out ...